We all have a place in our families history. What role we play in that history Is up to us.
I, like many others, enjoy researching my family’s genealogy. Over the years I have become a member of a handful of associations due to the results of my family tree lines. I recently found a connection my family has to a famous comedian. I had no idea this connection would lead me to my hometown here in Athol, Massachusetts.
I was brought up in Athol. My mother’s family has lived here for several generations. While we do have links to many events in history, in several places in Massachusetts, none had led me to any famous names in Athol. However, my recent searches changed that.
I only wish my mom could have known. Because it involves someone she held very dear.… She even shared her name! My mom’s name is Lucille. One thing about my mom was she loved to laugh. She grew up in an era where there were lots of comedy shows, but none for her could top the I Love Lucy show. She loved Lucille Ball, as many people did and still do!
So, exactly how is Lucille Ball connected to Athol? Well, as some of you may already know, there was a family of Balls who lived in the Athol area during the Revolutionary Era. (In fact some were soldiers in the Revolutionary War.) If you were to take a drive to the Old Pleasant Street Cemetery, you will find the graves of two brothers: Moses Ball and Adonijah Ball and their father Isaac Ball.
The brothers are Lucille Ball’s great uncles and the father is her fourth great-grandfather, who happens to be my great-grandfather, also. Isaac had one more son who later moved to Vermont which is where he is buried.This would be Lucy’s third great-grandfather.
Every few years when I make the journey back to Athol, I see family, but I also visit a few family grave sites. This October I have a few more relatives on that list.
There you have it. So, What’s in a name? A family’s history. A town’s history.
I guess the main reason I wrote this article is to show people how exciting it is to find people and stories in your own backyard. We all have an important role in the history of our families. So, start your own search and join the journey!
For my mom, Lucille and her cousin, Lucille.
Janine Hall lives in Jonesboro, Georgia.